US2704899A - Readily mountable and removable, shape conforming and position retaining heel insertfor shoes - Google Patents

Description

March 29, 1955 sw oN 2,704,899

READILY MOUNTABLE AND REMOVABLE, SHAPE CONFORMING AND POSITION RETAINING HEEL INSERT FOR SHOES 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 22 INVENTOR. John J. Swancon rneys J WANTON 2,704,899

March 29, 1955 5 READILY MOUNTABLE AND REMOVABLE, SHAPE CONFORMIN AND POSITION RETAINING HEEL INSERT FOR SHOES 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 22, 1951 INVENTOR. John J.Swan"con I I I I I I I I I I I I I l l L United States Patent READILY MOUNTABLE AND REMOVABLE, SHAPE CONFORMING AND POSITION RETAINING HEEL INSERT FOR SHOES John J. Swanton, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application June 22, 1951, Serial No. 233,032

7 Claims. (Cl. 36-55) The invention relates generally to boots and shoes and primarily seeks to provide a novel form of heel insert for use in ladies or mens shoes and which is constructed to serve as a stocking and sock wear preventing means and also a space filler adapted to conform fully to the heel contour and assure comfort and ease during the wearing of shoes equipped therewith.

Heel inserts for use in shoes have been known heretofore, but all such devices of which I have knowledge have not met with widespread public approval because of too flimsy construction, complicated and cumbersome structure, or faulty shaping, making use in comfort without cementing of the inserts to the shoes impractical or impossible, and in many instances known inserts have been found impractical even when attempt was made to secure them in place by cementing or otherwise. It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a novel form of readily mountable and removable heel insert which will avoid all of the objectionable features of known devices of this character.

In its more detailed nature the invention resides in providing a heel insert structure formed of soft pliable material capable of conforming readily and fully to the heel shape during wearing thereof and which is composed of a base piece and a counter piece sewed together in edge abutting relation to form a cup-like seat open at top and front and encasing the heel within the shoe about the back and sides and at the bottom, the counter piece extending forwardly much farther at the outer side than at the inner or longitudinal arch side, and the base piece front edge being angled across to join with the front ends of the counter piece at the respective sides so as to avoid placement of base piece portions under instep portions of the foot which are effective during walking to apply lateral displacing pressures tending constantly to turn or displace the heel insert from its proper position in the shoe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel heel insert of the character stated wherein the base piece also includes an anchor point extension which is disposed at the outer side, or the side remote from the longitudinal arch side, and extends well up said outer side in its juncture with the forward end of the counter piece at said outer side so as to be engaged by the foot, at rest as well as during walking, in a manner applying anchoring pressure efiective in light of the clearance of both the counter end and the angled or reduced piece portion at the opposite side to prevent displacement of the heel insert from its proper position in the shoe.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a heel plate piece for use in Womens shoes, the pattern shaping being indicated in detail.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the counter-piece for use in conjunction with the heel plate piece of Figure 1, the pattern shaping being indicated in detail.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a heel plate piece for use in mens shoes, the pattern shaping being indicated in detail.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the counter-piece for use in conjunction with the heel plate piece of Figure 3, the pattern shaping being indicated in detail.

Figure 5 is a side elevation illustrating a fragment of a 2,704,899 Patented Mar. 29, 1955 mans shoe with one of the heel inserts mounted therein, the dot and dash lines indicating the forwardly presented edge of the counter-piece at the far side of the shoe.

Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating the mounted insert of Figure 5, the shoe outline being indicated in phantom.

Figure 7 is a central vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 77 of Figure 6 and looking toward the left.

Figure 8 is a central vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 77 of Figure 6 and looking toward the right.

In formulating the pattern of the heel plate piece adapted for use in a heel insert for Women's shoes as illustrated in Figure l, I first erect a perpendicular 5 and then intersect the same at right angles with a base line 6.

Using as a center a point thirteen thirty-seconds of an inch above the base line 6 on the perpendicular I describe an are 7 of one hundred seven degrees so that a fiftyseven degree portion of the arc will lie to the left and a fifty degree portion will lie to the right of the perpendicular 5 as viewed in Figure 5, using a radius of sixty-three sixty-fourths of an inch.

Using as a center a point twenty-seven thirty-seconds of an inch to the right of the perpendicular 5 on the base line 6, I describe an are 8 of twenty-nine and one-fourth degrees with a radius of one and fifty-nine sixty-fourths inches so that its upper end will join with the fifty-seven degree are 7.

Using as a center a point forty-five sixty-fourths of an inch to the left of the perpendicular 5 on the base line 6, I describe an are 9 of thirty degrees so that its upper end will oin with the fifty degree or right hand portion of the are 7, using a radius of one and forthy-nine sixtyfourths inches.

I then draw a line 10 parallel with the base line 6 fiftythree sixty-fourths of an inch below said base line. Using as a center a point on this line two and seven thirty-second inches to the right of the perpendicular 5, and on a radius of one and nine sixty-fourths inches I describe an are 11 of forty-eight degrees extending downward from the parallel line 10.

I then draw a line 12 parallel with the base line 6 one and forty-three sixty-fourths inches below said base line. Using as a center a point one and fifteen thirty-seconds inches to the right of the perpendicular 5 on this parallel line 12, I strike off three angles running counterclockwise below this parallel line a first angle of forty-eight degrees, a second angle of eighty-eight degrees and a third angle of forty-four degrees as will be apparent by reference to the lower right-hand portion of Figure 1. The eightyeight degree angle will have three sides (also considered as running counter-clockwise), one side of forty-one sixtyfourths of an inch and extending downwardly and to the left, another side nine-sixteenths ofan inch and extending downwardly and to the right, and a third side of fifty-four sixty-fourths of an inch and extending in a generally horizontal direction, the last two converging lines being designated 13 and 14 on Figure 1.

Using as a center a point on the base line 6 which is twenty-seven thirty-seconds of an inch to the right of the perpendicular 5, I describe an arc 15 of thirty-seven degrees with a radius of two and eleven sixty-fourths inches so that its right end will join the fifty-four sixty-fourths of an inch leg 14 of the triangle above described.

I now locate a point 16, one and one-fourth inches below the base line and one and one-eighth inches to the left of the perpendicular 5 and draw straight lines 17 and 13 from that point to join with the open ends of the arcs 3 and 15 respectively.

I now complete the heel plate shape by drawing a line 19 joining the forty-eight degrees are 11 with the thirty degrees are 9 at the right side as viewed in Figure 1.

Figure 1 illustrates the pattern of a heel plate for use in size 8 womens shoes and is substantially the same in shape for all sizes. Variation in size is very slight in the heel structure. The normal range of sizes in shoe manufacture for women is from size 4 to size 9. The length of the manufacturers standard size heel plate from the middle of the back of the heel to the center of its forward edge crossing at about the beginning of the shank is 2 for all sizes. The widths, however, at the forward edge crossing at about the beginning of the shank are as follows for each size:

Width variation, Size 4, 1 H Size 5, 1 Size 6, 1 Size 7, l $6 Size 8, 1 1 size 9, 1 %2" 1A6 The sides of the heel plate designated as 17 on one side and 19, 11, and 13 on its opposite side, Figure 1, would be spread apart /16 for each size and the 37 degree are at as shown in Figure 1 would be diminished or lengthened accordingly.

In formulating the pattern of a counter-piece for use in combination with the heel piece above described, I first erect a perpendicular 20 and intersect the same at right angles with a base line 21 as indicated in Figure 2.

Using as a center a point five and three-eighths inches above the base line 21 and three-eighths of an inch to the left of the perpendicular 20 I describe an arc 22 of twenty degrees so that its right end intersects the perpendlcular 20 three-fourths of an inch above the base line 21, said arc being struck on a radius of four and twenty-one thirtyseconds inches.

Using as a center a point two and one-sixteenth inches below the base line 21 and one and sixty-one sixty-fourths inches to the left of the perpendicular 20, I describe an are 23 of twenty-nine degrees with a radius of three inches so that its right end will join with the twenty degrees are 22.

Using as a center a point fifty-three sixty-fourths of an inch below the base line 21 and two and one-fourth inches to the left of the perpendicular 20 I describe a thirty-four degrees are 24 with a radius of one and twenty-five thirtyseconds inches so that its right end will join with the twenty-nine degrees are 23.

I next construct an angle of sixty degrees below the base line 21 by drawing a line 25 downwardly and to the right fifty-five sixty-fourths of an inch long. Using this line 25 as a base I construct a triangle whose other two sides 26 and 27 are each three-fourths of an inch long and whose angles will measure respectively seventy-two degrees, fifty-four degrees and fifty-four degrees, the line 26 connecting with the lower end of the are 24.

Using as a center a point five and twenty-nine thirtyseconds inches above the base line 21 and one and thirtynine sixty-fourths inches to the left of the perpendicular 20 I describe an are 28 of fourteen degrees with a radius of six and twenty-nine thirty-seconds inches so that its left end will join with the line 27.

Using as a center a point five and fifteen sixty-fourths inches above the base line 21 and twenty-one sixty-fourths of an inch to the right of the perpendicular 20, I describe an are 29 of twenty-one degrees with a radius of six and nineteen sixty-fourths inches so that its right end will join with the forty-five degrees are 30 which is described as follows. Using as a center a point eleven-sixteenths of an inch above the base line and one and thirty-five sixtyfourths inches to the right of the perpendicular 20 I describe the said are 30 of forty-five degrees with a radius of one and nineteen thirty-seconds inches so that its right end stops at the base line 21.

Using as a center a point one and eleven thirty-seconds inches below the base line 21 and one and eleven thirtyseconds inches to the right of the perpendicular 20 I describe an are 31 of twenty-nine and one-half degrees with a radius of two and five sixty-fourths inches so that its right end will join with a straight line 32 one-half inch long and at an angle with the base line 21 of forty and one-half degrees and connecting with the end extremity of the are 30 at the base line 21.

Using as a center a point four and one-half inches below the base 21 and forty-five sixty-fourths of an inch to the right of the perpendicular 20 I describe an are 33 of eighteen degrees with a radius of five and five-sixteenths inches so that its right end joins with the twenty-nine and one-half degrees are 31.

I complete the outline of the counter-piece by a straight line 34 one and thirty-three sixty-fourths inches long and joining the fourteen degrees are 28 and the twenty-one degrees are 29.

Figure 2 illustrates the pattern of a counterpiece for use in size 8 womens shoes and is substantially the same for all sizes, differing in the length of the 45 degree arc 30 and the length of the 29 /2 degree are 31 and line 32 at one end of the counterpiece, and differing in the length of the 34 degree are 24 and lines 26 and 27 with any necessary slight reduction or addition in the angle of all the arcs referred to in order to compensate for the spread in the heel plate for the range of sizes herein shown.

It is, of course, to be noted that the heel plate shown in Figure 1 is of shape and size peculiar to my heel insert, but the variation in sizes is controlled by the variation in sizes of the shoe manufacturers standard heel seat.

In formulating the pattern of the heel plate best adapted for use in a heel insert for mens shoes as-illustrated in Figure 3 I first erect a perpendicular 35 and intersect the same at right angles with the base line 36.

Using as a center a point one and twenty-nine sixtyfourths inches above the base line 36 on the perpendicular 35 I describe a ninety-four degrees are 37 with a radius of one and seven sixty-fourths inches above the center so that sixty-two and one-half degrees of the arc will lie to the left and thirty-one and one-half degrees of said are will lie to the right of the perpendicular 35 as viewed in Figure 3.

Using as a center a point forty-nine sixty-fourths of an inch above the base line 36 and one-half of an inch to the left of the perpendicular 35 I describe an are 38 of fortyeight degrees with a radius of one and sixty-one sixtyfourths inches so that the upper end of the arc joins with the thirty-one and one-half degrees portion of the are 37.

I next joint the lower end of the forty-eight degrees are 38 by a straight line-39 with a point one and one-half inches to the right of the perpendicular 35 and on the base line 36.

Using as a center a point forty-five sixty-fourths of an inch above the base line 36 and one and five sixty-fourths inches to the right of the perpendicular 35 I describe an arc 40 of twenty-eight degrees with a radius of two and thirteen thirty-seconds inches joining with the lower end of the sixty-two and one-half degrees portion of the are 37.

Using as a center a point nine thirty-seconds of an inch above the base line 36 and one and fifty-nine sixty-fourths inches to the left of the perpendicular 35 I describe a forty-six degrees are 41 with a radius of thirty-five sixtyfourths of an inch downward from a point due east of the center. I then join the end of the arc and the twentyelght degrees are 40 by a straight line nine-sixteenths of an inch long as indicated at 42.-

Using as a center a point twenty-nine thirty-seconds of an inch below the base line 36 and two and seventeen thirty-seconds inches to the left of the perpendicular 35 I construct an angle of thirty-four degrees to the right of the point having its lower leg coincide with a line 43 drawn parallel to the base line 36 and twenty-nine thirty-seconds of an inch below said base line. The other leg of the angle, one-half inch long, is joined to the lower end of the forty-six degrees are 41 by a line 44 drawn with a draftmans compound curve, a shallow curve concave upwardly and to the left as viewed in Figure 3.

I next construct an angle of forty-five degrees below the base line 36 at a point one and one-half inches to the r1ght of the perpendicular 35 and on the base line 36, drawing the lower leg one and three-sixteenths inches to the southwest as indicated at 45.

Using a center 46 measured by a point one and twenty-nine sixty-fourths inches above the base line 36 and one and seven thirty-seconds inches to the left of the perpendicular 35 (which is at the intersection of the line 47 drawn parallel to the base line one and twentynine sixty-fourths inches above it and the are 40 of the twenty-eight degrees angle) I describe an are 48 of twenty-nine degrees with a radius of two and fifteenthsixteenths inches so that the end of the arc joins with the one and three-sixteenths inches leg 45 of the fortyfive degrees angle previously constructed.

Using as a center a point 49 on the sixtytwo and onehalf degrees portion of the are 37, I describe an are 50 of thirty degrees which will join the are 48 and the termination of the extension from the line 44 at the line 43 and complete the outline of the heel plate shape as shown in Figure 3.

In formulating the pattern of a counter-piece for use in combination with the heel piece of Figure 3 above described, I first erect a perpendicular 51 and intersect the same at right angles with a base line 52.

Using as a center 53 a point on the perpendicular three and eleven-sixteenths inches above the base line 52 I describe an arc 54 of eighteen degrees with a radius of five and seven-sixteenths inches so that ten degrees of the arc will lie to the left and eight degrees thereof will lie to the right of the perpendicular 51 as viewed in Fig ure 4.

Using as a center 55 a point eleven-sixteenths of an inch below the base line and two and five-sixty-fourths inches to the right of the perpendicular 51 I describe an are 56 of one hundred twelve degrees with a radius of one and eleven sixty-fourths inches so that one end of the arc begins at a point due north of the center and is drawn toward the southeast.

Using as a center 57 a point on the arc 56, twentynine sixty-fourths of an inch above the base line and two and eleven thirty-seconds inches to the right of the perpendicular 51 I describe an are 58 of thirteen degrees with a radius of one and twenty-five thirty-seconds inches so that its right end joins the one hundred twelve degrees arc 56 at its lower extremity.

Using as a center 59 a point one and seven-eighths inches above the base line and one and one thirty-second inches to the left of the perpendicular 51, I describe an are 60 of twenty-seven degrees with a radius of three and nine-sixteenths inches so that the left end of the arc ends at the base line 52, the are being drawn downward and toward the right from said end.

Using as a center 61 a point three and eleven-sixteenths inches above the base line 52, and twenty-seven thirty-seconds of an inch to the left of the perpendicular 51 I describe an eleven degree are 62 with a radius of five and nine thirty-seconds inches so that the left end of the arc joins with the twenty-seven degrees are 60 below the base line 52 Using as a center 63, a point three and five sixtyfourths inches below the base line and two and onefourth inches to the left of the perpendicular 51 I describe a seventeen degrees arc 64 extending above the base line and having a radius of three and nine-sixteenths inches so that its left end terminates at the base line, the remainder of the are extending toward the right.

Using as a center 65 a point four and thirteen-sixteenths inches below the base line and two and three-eighths inches to the left of the perpendicular, I describe a ten degrees are 66 so that its left end joins with the seventeen degrees are 64, the remainder of the are extending toward the right.

I next join the two open ends of the one hundred twelve degrees are 56 and the ten degrees arc 66 above the base line 52 with two straight lines 67 and 68 which meet at a point 69 on the perpendicular 51, nine thirtyseconds of an inch above the base line 52. I also join the left end of the eighteen degrees arc 54 with the right end of the eleven degrees are 62 and the rlght end of said eighteen degrees are 54 and the left end of the thirteen degrees are 58 by straight lines 70 and 71 to complete the outline of the counter-piece of Figure 4.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the pattern requirements for heel inserts differ considerably according to Whether they are to be used in womens or mens shoes. However, it will be recognized that the general shaping and important structural features of the invention claimed herein are common to all such patterns. In each case the side edges of the heel plate flare or diverge and shape slightly in the forward direction, and each said heel plate is cut away at an angle at 72 toward the inner or longitudinal arch side, and at the forward portion, at the opposite side, is extended in the form of a curving laterally extending anchor point 73. When the matching edges of the heel plate and counter which combine to form a heel insert unit are brought together in abutting relation and united by an appropriate stitching, as indicated at 74, the unit is completed with the anchor point 73 extending well up into the side at that portion which is to be received in the outer side of a shoe, or in other words the side remote from the longitudinal arch side.

In thus joining the heel plate and counter pieces of Figures 1 and 2 the edge portions 27, 28, 34, 29 and 30 of the counter piece of Figure 2 will be joined to the edge portions 17, 8, 7, 9, 19, 11 and 13 of the heel plate piece of Figure 1. A corresponding assembly of the pieces of Figures 3 and 4 would result in a joining of edge portions 60, 62, 70, 54, 71 and 58 of the counter piece of Figure 4 with the edge portions 44, 41, 42, 40, 37, 38 and 39 of the heel plate piece. It has been found that the particular shaping of the pieces in the manner disclosed, and the assembly of the pieces in the manner stated makes it possible for the completed units to conform fully and accurately to the heel of a wearer so as to provide maximum comfort and maximum efiiciency in accomplishment of the purposes of the invention.

It is to be understood that a given heel plate piece when sewn in is relatively flat except where its projecting curved anchor point 73 extends upwardly to provide an anchor rest against the counter of a shoe in which the insert is to be placed.

The pressure of a foot on the heel plate piece of the insert transforms the same into the shape of the heel under-surface, and to the longitudinal arch where it curves in several directions, to conform to the shape of the foot. The curved anchor point 73 provides sufl'lcient material in the heel-plate piece to take the full imprint of the longitudinal arch resting upon it and prevent it from riding out of place under pressure and compound movement of the foot during the walking process. The counter piece will stand uprightly from the heel plate piece when these parts are assembled in the manner described, and the action of the foot upon it during normal wear causes both sides to lean unsymmetrically toward the inside of the foot and generally to compensate for the changes occurring in the shapes of the hard molded counters introduced into the manufacture of shoes. This is accomplished by shaping the leather counter of the heel insert at its lower edge abutted to the heel plate to produce natural heel contours in relation to the entire foot in its movements in walking. This accurate and complete conformation of the insert portions to the shape of the foot is made possible by the peculiar shaping of the parts as described in detail hereinabove.

The heel insert is removable and can be transferred from shoe to shoe of the owner-wearer. or even to other shoes in the size range in which the particular heel inserts have been selected. The insert when selected in proper size range in accordance with the demand or shoe size of the particular wearer conforms in general to the shape of the interior of the heel end of the shoe, and when placed in the heel end of a shoe fills in the space under and around the sides of the wearers heel as far as the longitudinal arch, providing for both comfort and a proper retention of the heel insert in place. The peculiar shaping of the insert parts assures against changing of position of the insert by pressure action of the foot against the insert during the walking process. As before stated, the anchor point 73 is securely held in place by anchoring pressure applied by the foot both during walking and when a wearer is at rest, and the angular cut or short length side of the insert worn in the inner or longitudinal arch side of the shoe is made shorter for the purpose of preventing the bending of the longitudinal arch portion of the shoe and the action of the foot against it from applying pressure which would tend to displace the insert from its intended position in the shoe.

The invention is not to be considered limited to the use of any particular material so long as the assembled heel plate and counter pieces are satisfactorily soft and pliable so that they will conform readily and fully to the contacted heel and foot portions during the wearing thereof. Materials found satisfactory for the purposes stated include real leather or split cowhide.

The illustrations in Figures 6, 7 and 8 are to be understood as merely indicative of initial assembly relation, before wear. The very careful and accurate shaping herein described in detail tends to cause the assembled parts to conform naturally to the general outline of heel and foot portions to be contacted, and after a short period of wear the soft pliable material shaped and assembled in the particular manner described will conform readily and fully to said heel and foot portions.

It is to be understood that in this example disclosure I have illustrated one practical dimensioning of a heel insert for use by women, and one practical dimensioning of a heel insert for use by men, the specific dimensions. given being subject to change to satisfy particu- Size I Length Variation Width Variation Inches Inches Inches Inches tilt-7% 3%6 2% 8}9} 3% Me 2% 5s }11}12 3% 9s 2% The sides of the heel plate designated as 39 on one side and 42, 41 and 44 on its opposite side, Figure 3, would be spread apart 4 for each size range and the 29 degree are 48 as shown in Figure 3 be diminished or lengthened accordingly.

Figure 4 illustrates the pattern of a counterpiece for use in range size 8 /29/2 mens shoes and is substantially the same for all sizes, but differing in the lengths of the 90 degree are 56 and the 13 degree are 58 at one end of the counterpiece, and differing in the lengths of the 17 degree are 64 and the 27 degree are 60 with any necessary slight reduction or addition in the angles of the are referred to in order to compensate for the spread in the range sizes herein shown.

While one form of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A readily mountable and removable heel insert of the character described comprising a soft pliable single-thickness heel plate piece for underlying and conforming in shape to the bottom of the heel of a wearer, and a soft pliable single-thickness counter piece attached in edge abutting relation about the back and sides of the heel plate piece and upstanding with relation to said heel plate piece, said counter piece extending much farther forward at one side than at the other side, and said heel plate piece extending transversely inwardly from its juncture with the forward end extremity of said longer side of the counter piece to approximately a longitudinal center point and then at an abrupt angle laterally and rearwardly to its juncture with the forward end extremity of the shorter side of the counter lece.

p 2. A readily mountable and removable heel insert of the character described comprising a soft pliable singlethickness heel plate piece for underlying and conforming in shape to the bottom of the heel of a wearer, and a soft pliable single-thickness counter piece attached in edge abutting relation about the back and sides of the heel plate piece and upstanding with relation to said heel plate piece, said counter piece extending much farther forward at the side thereof intended to lie against the outer side of the foot of a wearer than at the inner or longitudinal arch opposing side and to an extent for engagement by an outer foot portion as far forward as a point opposite an instep portion, and said heel plate piece extending transversely inwardly from its juncture with the forward end extremity of said longer side of the counter piece to approximately a longitudinal center point and then at an abrupt angle laterally and rearwardly to its juncture with the forward end extremity of the shorter side of the counter piece.

3. A readily mountable and removable heel insert of the character described comprising a softpliable singlethickness heel plate piece for underlying the bottom of the heel of a wearer and conforming generally to the shape of said heel bottom except for a lateral point extension at the forward portion at one side of said piece and formed by two edge portions converging to form the point, and a soft pliable single-thickness counter piece attached in edge abutting relation about the back and sides of the heel plate piece and along one of said converging edges so that the counter piece will bear upstanding relation to the heel plate piece with said point extension curving well up into the side toward which it extends as an anchor effective, when foot pressure is applied thereon in the shoe of a wearer, to anchor the insert against turning askew during walking.

4. A readily mountable and removable heel insert of the character described comprising a soft pliable singlethickness heel plate piece for underlying the bottom of the heel of a wearer and conforming generally to the shape of said heel bottom except for a lateral point extension at the forward portion at one side of said piece and formed by two edge portions converging to form the point, and a soft pliable single-thickness counter piece attached in edge abutting relation about the back and sides of the heel plate piece and along one of said converging edges so that the counter piece will bear upstanding relation to the heel plate piece with said point extension curvingwell up into the side toward which it extends as an anchor efiective, when foot pressure is applied thereon in the shoe of a wearer, to anchor the insert against turning askew during walking, the side end extremity of the counter piece to which the point extension edge portion is attached extending much farther forwardly than does the other side end extremity of said counter piece.

5. A heel insert structure as defined in claim 3 in which the anchor point extension is toward that side of the insert to be contacted by the outer side of a wearers foot, that is, the side remote from the longitudinal arch.

6. A readily mountable and removable heel insert of the character described comprising a soft pliable singlethickness heel plate piece for underlying the bottom of the heel of a wearer and conforming generally to the shape of said heel bottom except for a lateral point extension at the forward portion at one side of said piece and formed by two edge portions converging to form the point, and a soft pliable single-thickness counter piece attached in edge abutting relation about the back and sides of the heel plate piece and along one of said converging edges so that the counter piece will bear upstanding relation to the heel plate piece with said point extension curving well up into the side toward which it extends as an anchor efiective, when foot pressure is applied thereon in the shoe of a wearer, to anchor the insert against turning askew during walking, the side end extremity of the counter piece to which the point extension edge portion is attached extending much farther forwardly than does the other side end extremity of said counter piece, and said heel plate piece extending transversely inwardly from the anchor point to approximately a longitudinal center point and then at an abrupt angle laterally and rearwardly to its juncture with the forward end extremity of the shorter side of the counter piece.

7. A heel insert structure as defined in claim 3 in which the anchor point extension is disposed to be contacted by the outer side of a wearers foot, that is the side remote from the longitudinal arch, and wherein the heel plate piece extends transversely inwardly from the anchor point to approximately a longitudinal center point and then at an abrupt angle laterally and rearwardly to its juncture with the forward end extremity of the shorter side of the counter piece.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,055,768 Levee Mar. 11, 1913 1,858,747 Morales May 17, 1932 1,914,463 Silver June 20, 1933 2,156,086 Hack Apr. 25, 1939 2,348,300 Klaus May 9, 1944 2,403,442 Klaus July 9, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 238,025 Great Britain Aug. 8, 1925 450,999 Great Britain July 28, 1936

Images